By ALANA MITCHELSON
Bellarine Peninsula martial artist Jacob Comelli has challenged himself to take on a World Open Karate Championship in Tokyo this weekend.
Comelli has been training with top Japanese fighters Yuji and Kazufumi Shimamoto and former champion Shihan Tadashi Ishihara in Japan since deciding in January to compete at the championships.
“It was so tough but amazing to see the intensity and mindset of the number-one guys,” Comelli said.
“It’s the biggest dream for anyone in karate to be a part of the world tournament. It will be an amazing opportunity to meet other fighters from all over the world too.”
Comelli’s intense training regime for Tokyo involved six days a week of gym work, sprint sessions and body conditioning.
He was grateful for the hours of support from fight coach Tsuyoshi Murase and Bellarine Martial Arts Centre head instructor David Jacobs.
“Murase is an ex-fighter from Japan and has come fourth in the world tournament,” Comelli said.
“He has so much wisdom and knowledge about how to be in control of your spirits in the lead up and during a tournament fight.”
While Comelli’s enhanced focus on karate had come with its social challenges, he was enjoying the excitement leading up to the championships.
Comelli said he even tried juggling his schedule with organising his own wedding earlier this year.
But Comelli and fiancée Amanda Madruga, competing in the tournament’s female draw, had since decided to put the wedding on hold to stay focused on their karate, he said.
“It’s a huge draw of 164 men and it’s open weight but I feel content knowing that I’ve done the work. Some training sessions were so hard and it seems that there’s always injuries you have to work around.
“I think karate helps me be a better person. It’s something that gives me a stronger mind and I approach other challenges in everyday life with enthusiasm.”
This year Comelli also fought at an Arnold Classic in Melbourne, a Shinkyokushinkai National Championships in Sydney and a Shinkyokushin Selection Tournament at Breakwater.
Comelli also has previous experience representing Australia internationally.
Comelli said he was focusing on his first fights, against fighters from Denmark and Japan.
The championship runs from 31 October to 1 November at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
Click below to watch Jacob Comelli in action at the Mens Open Heavy Weight Final of the Shinkyokushin National Championship in Sydney, August 2015.
